I've always loved the Escort and thought it was about time I invested in one for a track car, saw this one on ebay for pretty cheap and snatched it up. It has the 2L pinto which the seller described as "It runs, but blows smoke. Has been sitting their a while, could do with a good service." 
I'll be picking her up this weekend so the real work will begin next week, with any luck i'll be able to get the motor running and be able to use it in a couple of track days. Here's some pictures from the add:
 

 
I'm warming to the colour!
 

 

 
Engine needs some attention
 

 
and a couple of rusty bits
 

 
So the short term plan is to strip her out and see how bad the rust and mechanical issues are and get her on the track asap. The long term plan is to put an SR20DET in her, if only i had the money for a YB! 
 
I'll update next week with more pictures...
 
Rich

Apart from the factory fitted rust she looks nice and clean. A great base for your track car.

Go the 4 door!
 
Keep the pics coming
 
Matt

*Update*
Went to pick up the car today and i immediately realised how compact it is, looking forward to swinging it in between some trees! 
 
Before we picked it up i was working on my mates custom 4x4 project that needs to be ready for a competition in Sydney next weekend, here's a pic:
 
Bit of a monster.

 
Anyway the escort didn't start due to a flat battery which was a pain but it gave me time to have a look at any 'factory fitted' rust there was. To my surprise the body looked in good condition for a 35 year old! I'll be able to have a proper look tomorrow but i only spotted a small amount in the firewall and some in the rear arches. So we chucked it up on the ramp, you can see how tight the wheel base in on the trailer:
Tight!
 
 
It was only a 30 minute drive home so all was ok. So tomorrow i'll strip it all out and see what's underneath, i'll take some more detailed pictures tomorrow.
 
Rich  

*Update*
 
I spent this afternoon stripping down the escort and searching for the brown stuff and i am very impressed with the condition of the bodywork. I am thankful to say i didn't find any extra rusty patches, so the biggest areas are both rear arches, the exterior side panel/air vents and the firewall.
Rusty pictures:
 
Booty:

 
Right rear wheel arch:

 
Left rear wheel arch:

 
Left wheel arch again, the worst affected place:

 
Side air vent:

 
Picture of everything out of the car:

 
The bucket type seats are going if anyone wants them? they come with rails, also the back seats can go as well so if anyone is interested then PM me.
 
Couple of interior snaps after the strip:
 
The door cards have been removed as well.. 

 
Don't worry it's not rust it's carpet fur

 

 
So next i'm going to patch up the rusty bits and look at painting the interior shell, not too sure on what colour yet though. I will also be looking at a colour change for the exterior, i'm currently thinking a dark silver but i'm not 100%. Might look at a matt paint.. 
 
What do people think about these wheels, they're a bit retro and i like that but i dont think i'll be able to get away with spraying them another colour.. perhaps black! 

 
Opinions welcome, 
 
Rich
 
 
 

looks good mate,  
 
those seat mounts though, not so good.  
 
another spot for rust is around the heater bubble area. check its not rusted along the water channel or it can leak into the cabin
 
cheers

krt10
looks good mate,  
 
those seat mounts though, not so good.  
 
another spot for rust is around the heater bubble area. check its not rusted along the water channel or it can leak into the cabin
 
cheers

Hi mate that's not rust its just where i haven't cleaned out all the underlay... although it does look suspicious.. yeah that the next place i need to fully investigate, hopefully get round to doing that today.

I mean the seat mounts look a bit dodgy in the pic. looks like the previous owner has cut the original ones out and made his own.  id be checking the integrity of them. 
at the end of the day if they are no good you can always get replacement bars like this http://grp4fabrications.com/product_info.php?products_id=221
 
cheers 

Good luck getting that rust sorted!
 
Not sure about black unless you paint the openings a different colour. I painted my hotwires black and the design was just lost, looked like a black blob inside a tyre. You could always try it though and if you dont like it change it?
 
Cheers
Ryan

krt10
I mean the seat mounts look a bit dodgy in the pic. looks like the previous owner has cut the original ones out and made his own.  id be checking the integrity of them. 
at the end of the day if they are no good you can always get replacement bars like this http://grp4fabrications.com/product_info.php?products_id=221
 
cheers 

Ah, yes mate they aren't great, just tacked in place! Can see them snapping whilst hitting a corner so they're defo on the list!
 

79Escort
Good luck getting that rust sorted!
 
Not sure about black unless you paint the openings a different colour. I painted my hotwires black and the design was just lost, looked like a black blob inside a tyre. You could always try it though and if you dont like it change it?
 
Cheers
Ryan

Yeah i reckon you're right there pal, perhaps a good polishing is all they need?! we'll see, new alloys are near the bottom of the list at the moment...